Preview
Filing # 173091028 E-Filed 05/14/2023 08:41:35 AM
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO. 19-016161 CA 01 (11)
GUILLERMO DOMINGUEZ and INGRID
DOMINGUEZ,
Plaintiff(s),
vs.
CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE
CORPORATION,
Defendant(s).
/
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND ‘EXISTING DAMAGE’ AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
TO CORRECT SCRIVENOR’S ERROR
COMES NOW the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION
(hereinafter “Defendant”), by and through its undersigned counsel, which hereby seeks leave to
amend its affirmative defenses on account of scrivenor’s error. Defendant states as follows:
1. This is a December 20, 2018 windstorm claim.
2. Defendant currently asserts the following policy defenses:
A. No peril-created (i.e., wind) opening.
B. Wear, tear and deterioration etc.
C. Settling, shrinking, etc.
D. Inherent vice, etc.
E. Existing damage.
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
3. For the existing damage policy exclusion, Defendant “cut and pasted” a screenshot
from an HO-3 policy that differs from the language contained in the Plaintiffs’ contract with
Defendant.
4. This was a scrivenor’s error.
5. The “existing damage” affirmative defense should be amended to conform with the
evidence that will be received at trial.
6. In addition, Defendant’s position concerning prejudice is as follows:
A. Plaintiffs are required to attach the governing policy of insurance to their
Complaint. In fact, when the allegations of the Complaint differ from its attachments, what is
contained in the attachment controls. The same reasoning governs this situation.
B. All fact and expert discovery was completed in this matter prior to Defendant first
adding the “existing damage” affirmative defense in October 2022. The fact and expect witnesses
for the Plaintiffs and Defendants were all asked questions about existing damages at that time.
C. Plaintiffs and their counsel at all material times have had a certified copy of the
policy of insurance and so are familiar with its terms.
D. The interests of justice in the jury rendering a verdict based on the undisputed
contractual language in the policy of insurance outweighs any claim of prejudice or surprise.
7. In view that there was no bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of Defendant with
respect to the instant scrivenor’s error, it would be an abuse of discretion to permit the jury to make
factual findings concerning the “existing damage” exclusion on language that differs from that in
the policy of insurance.
8. The proposed Amended Affirmative Defense is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
WHEREFORE the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION, hereby
requests that it be granted leave to amend this affirmative defense, deem Exhibit A filed, and
provide such further relief as the Court deems fair and just.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
WE HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was filed with the Clerk of the Court using
the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on May 13, 2023 We also certify that the foregoing document is being
served this date on: J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, Esq., J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo P.A., 804 S. Douglas Road #373, Coral
Gables FL 33134; via transmission of Notice of Electronic Filing generated by
eservice@myflcourtaccess.com.
BOYD RICHARDS PARKER & COLONNELLI, P.L.
Attorneys for Defendant
1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 848-2460/(954) 848-2470 FAX
Service of pleadings: serviceFLL@boydlawgroup.com
BY:/s/ Matthew S. Garnett
MATTHEW S. GARNETT, ESQ.
FBN:27795
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
EXHIBIT A
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO. 19-016161 CA 01 (11)
GUILLERMO DOMINGUEZ and INGRID
DOMINGUEZ,
Plaintiff(s),
vs.
CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE
CORPORATION,
Defendant(s).
/
AMENDED AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
COMES NOW the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION
(hereinafter “Defendant”), by and through its undersigned counsel, which hereby files its Amended
Affirmative Defense as follows:
[Affirmative Defense contained on next page.]
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
WE HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was filed with the Clerk of the Court using
the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on May 13, 2023 We also certify that the foregoing document is being
served this date on: J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, Esq., J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo P.A., 804 S. Douglas Road #373, Coral
Gables FL 33134; via transmission of Notice of Electronic Filing generated by
eservice@myflcourtaccess.com.
BOYD RICHARDS PARKER & COLONNELLI, P.L.
Attorneys for Defendant
1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 848-2460/(954) 848-2470 FAX
Service of pleadings: serviceFLL@boydlawgroup.com
BY:/s/ Matthew S. Garnett
MATTHEW S. GARNETT, ESQ.
FBN:27795
MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK
100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300
Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016
Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100
www.boydlawgroup.com
Preview
Filing # 173091028 E-Filed 05/14/2023 08:41:35 AM IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 19-016161 CA 01 (11) GUILLERMO DOMINGUEZ and INGRID DOMINGUEZ, Plaintiff(s), vs. CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION, Defendant(s). / MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND ‘EXISTING DAMAGE’ AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO CORRECT SCRIVENOR’S ERROR COMES NOW the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION (hereinafter “Defendant”), by and through its undersigned counsel, which hereby seeks leave to amend its affirmative defenses on account of scrivenor’s error. Defendant states as follows: 1. This is a December 20, 2018 windstorm claim. 2. Defendant currently asserts the following policy defenses: A. No peril-created (i.e., wind) opening. B. Wear, tear and deterioration etc. C. Settling, shrinking, etc. D. Inherent vice, etc. E. Existing damage. MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com 3. For the existing damage policy exclusion, Defendant “cut and pasted” a screenshot from an HO-3 policy that differs from the language contained in the Plaintiffs’ contract with Defendant. 4. This was a scrivenor’s error. 5. The “existing damage” affirmative defense should be amended to conform with the evidence that will be received at trial. 6. In addition, Defendant’s position concerning prejudice is as follows: A. Plaintiffs are required to attach the governing policy of insurance to their Complaint. In fact, when the allegations of the Complaint differ from its attachments, what is contained in the attachment controls. The same reasoning governs this situation. B. All fact and expert discovery was completed in this matter prior to Defendant first adding the “existing damage” affirmative defense in October 2022. The fact and expect witnesses for the Plaintiffs and Defendants were all asked questions about existing damages at that time. C. Plaintiffs and their counsel at all material times have had a certified copy of the policy of insurance and so are familiar with its terms. D. The interests of justice in the jury rendering a verdict based on the undisputed contractual language in the policy of insurance outweighs any claim of prejudice or surprise. 7. In view that there was no bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of Defendant with respect to the instant scrivenor’s error, it would be an abuse of discretion to permit the jury to make factual findings concerning the “existing damage” exclusion on language that differs from that in the policy of insurance. 8. The proposed Amended Affirmative Defense is attached hereto as Exhibit A. MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com WHEREFORE the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION, hereby requests that it be granted leave to amend this affirmative defense, deem Exhibit A filed, and provide such further relief as the Court deems fair and just. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE WE HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was filed with the Clerk of the Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on May 13, 2023 We also certify that the foregoing document is being served this date on: J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, Esq., J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo P.A., 804 S. Douglas Road #373, Coral Gables FL 33134; via transmission of Notice of Electronic Filing generated by eservice@myflcourtaccess.com. BOYD RICHARDS PARKER & COLONNELLI, P.L. Attorneys for Defendant 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 848-2460/(954) 848-2470 FAX Service of pleadings: serviceFLL@boydlawgroup.com BY:/s/ Matthew S. Garnett MATTHEW S. GARNETT, ESQ. FBN:27795 MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com EXHIBIT A IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 19-016161 CA 01 (11) GUILLERMO DOMINGUEZ and INGRID DOMINGUEZ, Plaintiff(s), vs. CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION, Defendant(s). / AMENDED AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE COMES NOW the Defendant, CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION (hereinafter “Defendant”), by and through its undersigned counsel, which hereby files its Amended Affirmative Defense as follows: [Affirmative Defense contained on next page.] MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE WE HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was filed with the Clerk of the Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on May 13, 2023 We also certify that the foregoing document is being served this date on: J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, Esq., J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo P.A., 804 S. Douglas Road #373, Coral Gables FL 33134; via transmission of Notice of Electronic Filing generated by eservice@myflcourtaccess.com. BOYD RICHARDS PARKER & COLONNELLI, P.L. Attorneys for Defendant 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 848-2460/(954) 848-2470 FAX Service of pleadings: serviceFLL@boydlawgroup.com BY:/s/ Matthew S. Garnett MATTHEW S. GARNETT, ESQ. FBN:27795 MIAMI FORT LAUDERDALE TAMPA WEST PALM BEACH NEW YORK 100 S.E. Second Street, Suite 2600 1600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Suite 201 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1150 824 U.S. Highway One, Suite 305 90 Park Avenue, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33131 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Tampa, Florida 33602 North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 New York, New York 10016 Tel:786-425-1045 Fax: 786-425-3905 Tel: 954-848-2460 Fax: 954-848-2470 Tel: 813-223-6021 Fax: 813-223-6024 Tel: 561-624-8233 Fax: 561-624-8940 Tel: (212) 336-8100 www.boydlawgroup.com